Our Curriculum
From the moment a child arrives at Millside, we strive to develop and foster our SHINE values. We clearly communicate our values throughout our curriculum to ensure our whole school community understands the purpose of what we do. We want our children to see and be seen within our curriculum.
Taking our starting points from the National Curriculum, Millside strives to go above and beyond to ensure our children have the knowledge and skills needed to enable them to not only achieve well during their Primary education but continue to succeed in the future. Our learner-centred curriculum is built around our children and underpinned by relevant, up to date research.
Previous learning is carefully built upon to expand, broaden and deepen knowledge and skills using carefully planned sequential learning and regular retrieval practice. This layered, systematic approach has led to a progressive and diverse curriculum built around our children and their local context.
Reading and vocabulary development permeates and strengthens our curriculum. Each topic is enhanced by high quality texts, explicitly taught key vocabulary and inspirational enrichment opportunities, most of which are heavily subsidised. This is to ensure all our children have real life experiences to underpin their knowledge, apply skills and build understanding.
We want to give our children strong roots to grow past Millside and wings to fly beyond East Leake. Our SHINE Curriculum ensures children leave Millside Spencer Academy feeling successful, happy, independent, nurtured and enthusiastic with the tools to SHINE in whatever path they choose to undertake.
Our SHINE Values
Successful
Our curriculum equips students with essential knowledge and skills which will help them to succeed in both academic and real-world settings today. By fostering adaptability and lifelong learning, the curriculum also prepares students for future career success and personal growth in an ever changing world.
Happy
Our curriculum emphasises social-emotional learning, self-regulation. Collaboration fosters a supportive environment where students feel valued and capable, leading to greater happiness and personal well-being. By teaching empathy, responsibility and active citizenship, the curriculum encourages students to make positive contributions to their school community; creating a welcoming atmosphere that brings joy to all members.
Independent
Our curriculum motivates children to be independent learners through clear end points alongside opportunities to develop problem solving skills as well as resilience. By fostering self-sufficiency through independent, critical thinking, the curriculum encourages students to take ownership of their learning and become confident in their abilities. Consequently, children view challenges as personal growth rather than obstacles.
Nurturing
Our curriculum integrates social-emotional learning and diverse perspectives promotes empathy, teaching students to understand and respect others’ needs and beliefs. By encouraging open dialogue and teamwork we create a nurturing culture of active citizenship where students value inclusion and tolerance.
Enthusiastic
Our engaging curriculum includes hands-on activities, real-world connections and opportunities for creativity that makes learning exciting and relevant as well as sparking students’ curiosity. When students see the value and enjoyment in their studies, they feel more motivated to attend school and actively participate in their education.
The Millside Way
The Millside Way is how we promote our SHINE values across school. At Millside we have high expectations of our children both personally and academically. We follow The Millside Way to give our children consistency wherever they are in school to ensure they are clear about what is expected of them throughout their day.
We have created several Walkthrus to establish same high expectations, and share them with children consistently, to ensure that they understand what is expected of them and to help them to succeed. Staff model the SHINE values in their interactions with each other, our children and the wider community.
Children are recognised and rewarded for following The Millside Way throughout each school day, week and term, as set out in our Behaviour Policy. House Points, The Millside Way stickers, recognition in SHINE assemblies and regular positive praise all reinforce positive choices and desirable learning behaviours.
The Millside Way allows all children to develop and foster our SHINE values as well as feeling safe, valued and loved.
Documents
- Millside Whole School Long Term Plan 2024-25
- Curriculum Teaching & Learning Guide
- Phonics Teaching & Learning Guide
- RSE Information for Parents
- PSHE & RSE Policy
- MSA Maths Policy 24 25